Resin Flow Rate Control Apparatus with Stopper Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow rate control apparatuses face challenges in achieving high accuracy and lightweight design due to deformation and wear issues when using resin materials for the body and needle valve, leading to inaccurate fluid flow control.

Innovation Solution

A flow rate control apparatus with a body and rod formed from resin materials, featuring a stopper mechanism that regulates rotational displacement of the rod, preventing axial thrust force on the valve seat and ensuring stable, accurate fluid control without deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the body and needle valve are formed from resin material to reduce weight, then the weight of the flow rate control apparatus is reduced, but the valve seat becomes deformed and worn due to axial pressing force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of flow rate control apparatusVSAvoiddurability of valve seat
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A stopper member is introduced as an intermediary component between the needle valve and the valve seat. This stopper member receives the axial pressing force when the needle valve closes, preventing the force from being transmitted to the resin valve seat, thereby avoiding deformation and wear while maintaining the lightweight resin construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure where a metal stopper member is combined with resin components (body and needle valve). The metal stopper provides the necessary mechanical strength to withstand axial forces, while the resin parts achieve weight reduction, creating a hybrid solution that balances both requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If the body and needle valve are formed from resin material, then weight is reduced, but the seated position of the needle valve changes due to deformation and frictional wearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of flow rate control apparatusVSAvoidaccuracy of flow rate control
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper member acts as a mediator that stabilizes the seated position of the needle valve by preventing axial deformation of the resin valve seat. By bearing the closing force, the stopper ensures consistent geometric relationships between components, maintaining manufacturing precision and flow rate control accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper member provides beforehand cushioning by pre-positioning and stabilizing the needle valve in its closed state. This prevents any subsequent deformation or position drift that would occur under operational loads, ensuring consistent seated position and accurate flow control throughout the device's lifecycle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables stable and accurate control of fluid flow rates while reducing the overall weight of the apparatus by preventing deformation of the resin components, maintaining high accuracy in the valve-closed position and reducing material hardness-related issues.

Implementation Method 1

a rod (24) having a valve member (50) in an axial direction, wherein the rod (24) is screw-engaged rotatably in the body (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a stopper means (54, 110) disposed on the body (14) and the rod (24), and which regulates rotational displacement of the rod (24) in a valve-closed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint through screw engagement: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2710285B1Flow rate control apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.03.07 SMC CORP
  • EP2710285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2710285B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2710285B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A flow rate control apparatus (10) is equipped with a valve mechanism (20), which is capable of controlling a flow rate of a pressure fluid that flows from a second port (16) to a first port (12). Second stopper walls (110a, 110b) are formed on a seating section (100) of a needle valve (24) constituting the valve mechanism (20) and which is capable of advancing and retracting in an axial direction. In addition, in a total valve-closed state when the seating section (100) of the needle valve (24) is seated on a seat (50) of a first body (14), the second stopper walls (110a, 110b) come into abutment and are stopped in a circumferential direction of the needle valve (24) with respect to first stopper walls (54a, 54b) of the first body (14).